UNWTO: international tourist arrivals up 4.5 percent in the first four months of 2011

According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals grew by 4.5 percent in the first four months of 2011, despite new challenges to the travel market. Growth was positive in all regions except the Middle East.

The UNWTO expects destinations currently facing difficulties will recover towards the end of the year. Short-term prospects remain favorable, as reflected in the UNWTO Confidence Index based on a survey of the UNWTO Panel of Experts. More than 350 experts worldwide maintain a positive outlook for the May to August period. Between January and April, destinations recorded 268 million tourist arrivals, 12 million more than the 256 million registered in the same period in 2010.